Molly's Wedding

Last weekend I was in Philadelphia. Yes, once again I went to the US for 72 hours. I do not consider myself jetset, for a direct flight across the pond actually takes less time than a one stop layover from the west coast. Though the weekend was brief and I never really adjusted to the time change, it was fun. Molly picked me up from the airport with Sean (now her husband), who I had not previously met. I feel that it is important to meet the groom before standing up in a friend's wedding, even if it's only a day or two before. Exhausted from the travel, I spent that night working on my thesis proposal and dined on my first Philly cheese steak. I truly believe that sandwich was invented with me in mind. Consisting of only meat, sauteed onions, cheese, and bread, I do not think it could ever be improved upon.

On Friday morning McHale and Genny, the remaining two Women arrived. Genny was supposed to arrive the night before, but she her flight was canceled due to weather. We were not quite sure what weather was being referred to, since it was lovely both in Philly and New York (where she had a layover from San Diego). The rest of the weekend was spent laughing. Sure there was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner on Friday night, but it was so nice to be with my Duke friends again. McHale also brought her boyfriend Samidh with as a date, and they shared the hotel room with Genny and me. He was really cool, and brave for sharing a room for the weekend with us. We just spent the whole time being silly, though the specific of which cannot be disclosed.

The rehearsal dinner was an exercise in technology. Specifically digital cameras for those who came of age prior to their invention. Maybe the problem is not with the fact that the camera is digital as much as it is with the red eye reduction. This is what happened. Someone took a photo of the bridal party. The button is pressed, a flash goes off, the camera is moved by the photographer, a second flash goes, thus the photo is taken. It was actually aimed at the floor by the time the photo was taken, but the photographer is not yet aware of that fact. He just sees the bridal party laughing and thinks, "this would make for an even better photo." So he aims the camera the crowd again, the button is pressed, a flash goes off, the camera is moved, a second flash goes, thus the photo is taken. Of the ceiling this time. More laughter. More photographers. This occurs for a few more cycles until it's not funny any more. I have yet to see these photos.

Saturday was the big day. Up at 7AM to shower. 8AM brunch. 9:30AM hair and makeup. Back to the hotel at noon for lunch. Leave hotel at 1PM for the wedding site or 1:30PM photos. More photos. 4:30PM ceremony starts. 11PM back to the hotel. It was a long day, but absolutely perfect. Molly looked beautiful. Her dad gave the best wedding toast I had ever heard. There was drinking and dancing all night. Then it was Sunday.

Sunday. I woke up in Philly and went to sleep on Monday in Delft. It was 36 hours of planes, trains, and automobiles. I had to take a bus to New York, then a stopover in Dublin, to finally make it back home. And I am just getting over the jet lag three days later and still working on my thesis proposal.